There are genuine questions about how to repurpose historic properties, but denying residents a say in the planning of their neighborhoods is a poor workaround.<\/p>\n
As a neighbor who has watched a developer bring a locally unpopular, and likely disruptive, project into a quiet neighborhood, this loophole seems entirely unfair. It is the antithesis of what considered, resident-centered city planning is supposed to look and feel like. The process has placed one business\u2019s interests above those of a community. Mine is a neighborhood of families, including neighbors who remember the edicts of the former church, which promoted temperance. These days, the neighbors may not be all teetotalers, but many of us worry what will happen to our lives once a 240-person capacity brewery (the size of seven rowhomes) begins operation or decides to have outside seating, bringing the noise and disruption of a brewery out onto the sidewalk.<\/p>\n
While the law may have been envisioned to \u201cprotect historic resources \u2026 for the benefit of our residents,\u201d my community of elderly neighbors and young families is not best served by a large facility selling alcohol. Like any bar or restaurant it will necessitate the constant churn of patrons \u2014 and is not unlikely to create heavy late-night foot and motor vehicle traffic, parking disputes and increased noise \u2014 and bring impaired drivers to this family-friendly corner.<\/p>\n
There is a chance that the brewery will be a good, quiet neighbor, but utilizing a process that has sidelined community input has not engendered goodwill among residents. By avoiding the RCO process, there are no guardrails in place to protect the community and the business has not benefited from hearing how to best serve the neighborhood. I want the developers to succeed but my neighbors\u2019 interests have not been protected. My little corner of Point Breeze should not have to rely on a business owner choosing to do the right thing for the locals. Breweries close everyday<\/a>. We should be able to rely on a process that protects our interests and sets all parties up for success. Even if this developer does the right thing, the next owner may not honor their promises.<\/p>\n Interested persons can file a Petition to Intervene<\/a> with the Liquor Control Board to ask for restrictions on the brewery to preserve neighborhood character or a denial of the application altogether. Completing the online form<\/a> takes about five minutes, then a copy needs to be sent to the developer. If enough neighbors file the Board may hold a hearing and allow interveners to testify.<\/p>\n Although it might be too late for our block, there are lessons other Philadelphians can take from what is happening at 18th and Tasker. City Council can stop this from happening again by enacting legislation to repeal the loophole.<\/p>\n